Elevator.



J. V. KRANEBIEL.

ELEVATOR.

APPucATloN FILED m18. 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- In!" 1 69g,

31a/vento@ THE COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH C01. WASHINGTON. D. c,

J. V. KRANEBIEL.

ELEVATOR.

AEPLlcATxoN FILED um. 1914.

L l 91175@ atented Apr. 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-sun 2@ TME COLUMNA PLANOGRAPH 4ca., WASHINGTON, D. c.

CIK

i ibn.

ELEVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 19116..

Application led January 8, 1914. Serial No. 810,916.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Jol-IN V. KRANEBIEL, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Williamsville, in the county of Erie and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElevators, of which the following is a speci* fication, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvement in elevators and more particularlyto elevator door operating mechanism and mechanism for preventingaccidents due to the opening of the door or the leaving of the door openwhen the elevator is in a position other than t a landing with the dooropposite a shaft oor.

An object of the invention is to provide means for automatically openingand closing an elevator car door and means for preventing the car frombeing moved while the door is open and for preventing the opening of thedoor while the car is in motion.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible door ofsimple construction and to provide other new and useful features in theconstruction and arrangement of elevator doors and operating andcontrolling mechanism therefor, all as hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an elevator car, mechanismthereof, and adja cent structure, showing mechanism embodying theinvention, in operative position thereon; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectionthrough a portion of the same substantially on the line X-X of Fig. 1;Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of a controller showing operating andlocking mechanism therefor; Fig. 4 is a detail showing a front elevationof Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail showing a portion of a controller head inelevation and illustrating the operative relation of the same to a door;Fig. 6 is a detail showing a portion of the door actuating mechanism inend elevation; Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating driving means forthe winding mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail view showing in side elevationthe mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is an elevation of aportion of the controller.

1n the drawings, A represents a suitable car or cage and. B a floor orlanding through which the elevator shaft extends. C indicates the usuallanding or shaft door which is mounted to slide across the door openingto close the same and D is the cage door comprising a series of parallelvertical rods 1 connected by a series of links 2 at their upper andlower ends and intermediate their ends. The rods pass through the links,forming the pivots for connecting the links which are thus joinedtogether in the form of continuous chains. By reason of these links orchain connections, a door is formed which is very flexible and the samemay be used where a space is too small for a sliding door as it willbend readily in a lateral direction and may be guided around a corner.

A series of links similar to those which pivotally connect the upperends of the rods, are provided and pivotally connected to form a chain 3which is a continuation of the chain formed by the links connecting theupper ends of the rods. This chain 3 is extended to any desired lengthto engage a pair of sprocket wheels 4 and 5 mounted within a suitablechamber or casing 6 in the upper part of the elevator cage. Near to theside of the elevator cage adjacent to the upper edge of the chain andextending across the upper end of the door, are two guide bars 7 whichform a track for pairs of rollers 8 pivotally mounted upon the upper endof an arm 9 secured to and extending upwardly from the chain. A numberof these arms or brackets with their rollers are provided throughout thelength of the chain and across the upper end of tht door for the chainand form hangers for the door which is thus supported and guided by thetrack and rolls along the same. By actuating the sprockets fl and aswill be hereinafter more fully described, the door will be automaticallyopened and closed, the chain and the door being run along the track bythe engagement of the sprockets therewith.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the shaft door C is provided with alocking bolt 10 which is actuated by means of a bell crank lever 11having a roller or other projection 12 on its free end to engage betweensuitable spaced outwardly extending ears 13 on the cage door D. When theelevator car is stopped at a landing with its lloor in the plane of thefloor of the landing, the ears 13 on the cage door will be opposite llOthe projection 12 on the locking mechanism of the shaft door andembracing the same so i lock the shaft door, and further movement v ofthe cage door will then move the shaft door to open position. In orderthat the ears 13 may interlock with the projection of the lock of theshaft door, it is necessary t0 stop the car vwith its floorSubstantially on a level with the vlanding and ythus accidents due tothe stopping of the car out of alinement with'the shaft door areprevented.

Any suitable motor may be provided for actuating the sprockets 4 and 5,but as illustrating a preferred form which may be used, a vertical shaft14 is 'shown as mounted in a suitable bearing adjacent to one corner ofthe car and extended from the floor thereof upward through the chamber6. A coiled spring is sleeved upon this shaft with its upper end securedto the shaft and its lower end secured to a disk 16. This disk issecured to a stub shaft 17 extending .through the floor of the car andprovided on its lower end with a pair of ratchet wheels 18 securedthereto, the shaft 14 turning independently of the disk 16 upon theupper end of the stub shaft which projects into and turns freely in abore in the said shaft 14. Mounted upon the shaft 17 adjacent to theseratchets to turn freely upon the shaft, is a pair of opposed beveledgears 19 and 20 enga-ged and actuated by a beveled pinion 21 upon theend vof a stub shaft 22 mounted in a'suitable bearing on the frame ofthe car and extending outwardly therefrom where it is provided upon itsouter end with a suitable sheave 23. A suitable'bearing bracket 24carries small sheaves 25 and 2,6 above and below the sheave 23 and outof vertical alinement therewith. A suitable cable 27is stretched fromtop to bottom of the elevator shaft and passes over Athe severalsheaves'in such a manner as to be held in frictional engagement with the.sheave 23 and actuate the same as the car moves up and down in theshaft. The pinion 21 isthus first turned in one direction upon themovement of the car upward and is ythen turned in the opposite directionwhen the car descends, and to turn the shafts 17 and winding disk -16 inthe same direction all the time regardless of the-direction in which thepinion 21 is turned; a pawl 28 is mounted on each of the beveled gears19 land 2O to engage the ratchet wheels 18. These pawls are so arrangedthat when one of them acts to connect its beveled gear to the shaft 17,the other will be riding over the teeth of the ratchet wheel and itsbeveled gear will turn freely upon the shaft. The spring 15 is thuscontinually wound by the movement of the cage to exert a force forturning the shaft 14, and the shaft is normally held against beingturned by the spring by means of a toothed disk or ratchet 29 secured tothe shaft and engaged by a suitable pawl 30. l lThe sprocket wheel 5 ismounted upon the upper end of the shaft 14 to turn freely thereon and agear 31 is mounted in a like manner upon the shaft at a distance belowthe sprocket wheel. A. clutch member 32 is mounted upon the shaftbetween the sprocket and gear to slide freely longitudinally upon theshaft but is operatively connected thereto to turn therewith. Thisclutch member has projections to engage notches in the hub of thesprocket and gear when said member is shifted longitudinally upon theshaft by means of a lever 33. An extended'end of the lever is arrangedto engage an upwardly extending formed end on the dog 30, said end beingformed with inclines so that when the lever 33 is moved in eitherdirection it will engage an incline and tilt the dog out of engagementwith the ratchet 29 to release the shaft.

lVhen the clutch member 32 is moved upward into engagement with thesprocket 5 to connect said sprocket with the shaft 14, the dog 30 willbe simultanewsly released and the spring 15 will at once act to turn thesprocket 5 and by reason of its engagement with the chain 3 move thedoor. When the clutch is in this position as shown, `the dog Ais inengagement with the ratchet vand the shaft held against turning, butwhen the clutch member is moved downward into engagement with the hub ofthe gear 31, the dog is simultaneously released and the spring acts toturn the gear. From the gear 31 motion is transmitted by means of idlers34 to a gear 35 secured upon the extended hub -of the sprocket 4, saidgears and idlers being arranged so that the sprocket will be turned in areverse direction to that in which the shaft 14 is turned by the spring.Therefore when the clutch member is moved to connect the gear 31 to theshaft 14 motion will be transmitted from said shaft to turn the sprocketwheel 4 in a direction opposite to that in which the sprocket 5 isturned `when itis connected to the shaft 14 by said clutch member. Thedoor D may therefore be automatically opened or closed by a propermovement of the lever 33.

To retard the action of the spring 15 so that slamming of the door maybe prevented and its movement controlled, an arm 3G is rigidly securedto the lever 33 to turn therewith and is extended downward intoengagement with the formed end of a brake lever 37 which is pivotedintermediate its vends upon the bottom of the chamber 6 with its freeend extending beneath the ratchet disk 29, as clearly shown in Fig. 8 ofthe drawing. The formed end of the brake 'lever 37 is provided with anotch to receive the lower end of the arm 36, said notch providinginclines to be engaged by the arm upon movement of said arm in eitherdirection, and thus tilt the brake lever 37 into engagement with thedisk upon movement of the lever 33 to shift the clutch member 32 andopen or close the door.

For convenience of illustration, the elevator cage is shown as providedwith a common form of electrical controller comprising a fixed casing 38secured to the wall of the elevator cage in any suitable manner, but itwill be understood that any suitable controller for controlling themovements of the car, embodying electrical, mechanical, or other meansmay be employed, it only being necessary to make obvious mechanicalchanges in the construction of the controlling mechanism embodying thisinvention to adapt the same to any of the well known forms ofcontrollers.

The particular controller shown, has a shaft 39 in its axis adapted tobe turned to actuate the controller, and this shaft is turned by meansof a crank arm 40 extending outward from the shaft through a slot 41 inthe casing 38. The controller is preferably inclosed within a rotatabledrum 42 of greater diameter than the diameter of the casing 38. Thisdrum is secured to the shaft 39 to turn therewith and has a radial sl otin its forward side through which a controller handle 43 projects, saidhandle being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon the upper endof the crank 40. The inner end of the controller handle engages anannulaislot 44 in a flange of the base of the controller casing, andintersecting this slot 44 is a slot 45 so positioned that when thecontroller crank 40 is in this neutral position with the power turnedoff and the elevator cage at rest, said controller handle may be tiltedupon its pivot, its inner end moving within the intersecting slot 45.

Pivotally attached to the inner end of the controller handle is a rod 4Gwhich is guided within a suitable bearing in the drum 42 and extendsradially outward therethrough. The outer end of this rod 46 is bentlaterally, as at 47, to engage between the branches of a forked end 48on a rod 49 which extends upward into the chamber 6 and is pivotallyattached at its upper end to the free end of the lever 33 for actuatingthe clutch member 32. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the controller isin neutral position with the power turned olf, the bent end 47 of .therod 46 will lie between the branches of the fork 48, but on movement ofthe controller in either direction to turn on the power and start thecar, said rod 46`will be moved out of engagement with the rod 49 and inlike manner any turning movement of the controller handle will beprevented by the engagement of its inner end with the annular slot orgroove 44. But when the controller is in this neutral position with thepower turned off, the controller handle may be tilted, its inner endmoving within the transverse slot and as the bent end of the rod 47 isengaged within the forked end of the rod 49, such tilting movement ofthe controller handle will actuate the lever 33 and move the clutchmember into engagement with either the sprocket 5 or the gear 31,depending upon which direction the handle is moved. The tilting movementof the controller handle thus causes the cage door to be opened orclosed, and this same handle also serves to actuate the controller. Thetilting movement of the controller' handle also serves to actuate thebrake lever 37 and retard the opening or closing movement of the door.With this arrangement the car door may be opened only when the car isstanding still, due to the fact that the controller handle can beactuated to release the motor or spring 15, only when the controller isin neutral position.

In the construction shown the controller shaft 39 extends through anopening in the wall of the elevator' cage and is provided with acircular head 50 having a transverse axial groove 51. rIhe vertical rodsl of the cage door are connected, intermediate their ends, by a chain 52similar to the chains at the upper and lower ends of said door. then thecage door is open the chain 52 engages in the groove 51 of the head 50and prevents the controller from being operated, consequently theelevator cage cannot be moved until the door thereof is completelyclosed. This arrangement precludes any danger of an elevator operatorstarting the elevator before the door of the cage is coinpletely closed.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have devised a novelelevator construction wherein a plurality of safety factors contributeto a successful operation of the elevator, obviating danger to lives orproperty due to inadvertence or carelessness of inexperienced operators.lt is thought that the operation and utility of the invention will beapparent without further description, and while in the drawing there isillustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to beunderstood that the structural elements are susceptible to such changes,as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

ll' hat I claim is l. The combination with a well door and an elevatorcage having a door, of a lock for the well door, means on the cage doorto operate the lock and connect the doors to cause the same to movetogether, motor actuated means carried by said cage for moving said cagedoor, a controller to control the movements of the cage, and meanscarried -by the controller for controlling the motor arranged to permitthe operation of the motor when the controller is kin position to stopthe cage With the cage door opposite the Well door. 2. In an elevatorcage, a door, spring actuated means carried by said cage for mov- 'ingsaid door, a means for controlling the operation of said door in adesired direction, and means actuated by a movement of said cage fornormally maintaining said spring actuated means under tension.

3.k In an elevator cage, a door, means for moving said door, motoractuated means carried by said' cage for imparting movement to the rstmentioned means, a clutch for controlling the direction of movement ofsaid door, a controller for the cage, and means controlled by thecontroller to lock the clutch in neutral position.

4c. The combination with an elevator cage, of a door carried thereby,motor actuated means for'imparting movement to said door in a desireddirection, a controller for controlling the movement of the cage, meansto prevent the operation of the controller When the door is opened, andmeans controlled by the controller for controlling the motor to preventthe operation of the motor and the opening of the door when the cage isin motion.

5. The combination with an elevator cage, of a door carried thereby,motor actuated means carried by said cage for opening and closing saiddoor, means for controlling the operation of the last mentioned meanswhereby said door may be ymoved in a desired direction, and a brake forcontrolling the rapidity of the movement of said door.

6. In an elevator, the combination With a cage having a door, and acontroller, of motor actuated means carried by said cage for moving saiddoor, means operated in conjunction With said controller for controllingthe direction of movement of said door, and arranged to be locked bysaid controller When the controller is in other than neutral positionand to serve as means for operating the controller.

7 In an elevator, the combination with a cage having a door, and acontroller, motor actuated means carried by said cage for moving thedoor, a controller for controlling the movement of the cage, means forcontrolling the operation of the controller controlled by the door, andmeans operable independently of the controller to control thetransmission of motion from'the motor to open or close the door andarranged to be locked against operation by the controller to prevent amovement of the doorduring a movement of the cage. f

8. In an elevator, the combination With a cage having a door, and acontroller forming part of the operating mechanism of the elevator, ofmotor actuated means carried by said cage, means operatable by saidmotor actuated means for moving said door, controlling means operatablewith said controller for controlling the movements of said door, andmeans in connection with said controller and controlled by said door forpreventing the operation of said controller While the door is in otherthan closed position.

9. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a controller formingpart of the operating mechanism thereof, of a door hung in said cage,motor actuated means carried by said cage for opening and closing saiddoor, a controller for controlling the operation of the cage, means onthe door to engage the controller and prevent its operation when thedoor is open, means controlling the operation of the motor actuatedmeans and the direction of transmission of motion thereof to open orclose the door, and a member carried by the controllex` for operatingthe means controlling the operation of the motor, said member beingadapted to be locked against op ration by the controller when saidcontroller is in other than neutral position.

10. In an elevator, the combination with a cage, a door forming partthereof, and a controller forming part of the ope 'ating mechanism ofSaid cage, of motor actuated means operatably connected to said door foropening and closing the same, means in connection With said controllerand including a clutch for controlling the direction of movement of saiddoor, and means simultaneously actuated in connection with the lastmentioned means for preventing a movement of said cage during a movementof said door.

11. The combination With an elevator cage adapted to travel in a shaftand a member extending from the bottom of said shaft to the top thereof,of a door forming part of said cage, spring actuated means normallymaintained under tension by engagement with said member for opening andclosing said door, and means Within said cage for controlling thedirection of the movement of said door.

12. The combination With an elevator cage adapted to travel in a shaft,and a member extending from the bottom of said shaft to the top thereof,of a door forming part of Said cage, spring actuated means normallymaintained under tension by engagement With said member for opening andclosing said door, means within said cage for controlling the directionand rapidity of the movement of the door, and means in said cage forpreventing a movement thereof While the door is open.

13. In an elevator, the combination with a cage adapted to move up anddown in a shaft, a member extending from the bottom of said shaft to thetop, a cage movable in said shaft, a door forming part of said cage, acontroller forming part of the operating mechanism of said cage, springactuated means normally maintained under tension by engagement with saidmember for moving said door in a desired direction, and means forlocking said spring actuated means while said controller is inoperation.

14. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a door forming partof said cage, of power means carried by said cage for opening andclosing saidl door during a ceasation in the movement of the cage, andmeans within said cage for locking said power means against actuationduring a movement of said cage.

l5. In an elevator, a cage, a door forming part thereof, a controllerforming part of the operating mechanism of said cage, power means withinsaid cage for opening and closing said door during a cessation in themovement of said cage, means for controlling said power means andsimultaneously controlling the direction of movement of said door, andmeans for preventing a movement of the cage while said door is open,said controlling means for said power means being controlled by saidcontroller to prevent its operation and the opening of the door whilethe car is in motion.

16. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a door forming partof said cage, of power means carried by the cage for opening and closingthe door during a cessation in the movement of the cage, means withinthe cage for locking said power means against operation during amovement of the cage, a controller for controlling the movement of thecage, and means locked by the door when the door is in open position forpreventing the operation of the controller.

17. In an elevator, the combination with a cage and a door carried bythe cage, of a motor carried by the cage, means for transmitting motionfrom the motor to open and close the door, means for controlling theoperation of the transmission means to control the opening and closingof the door, and means under the control of the operator for retardingthe movement of the door.

18. In an elevator, the combination with a cage, a door for the cage anda controller forming part of the operating mechanism lor the cage, ofmeans for storing power carried by the cage and operated by a movementof the cage to store power, means for transmitting motion from saidpower storing means to the door to open and close the same, means foroperating the power transmitting means to cause motion to be transmittedin the desired direction to open or close the door, said means beinglocked against operation by the controller for the cage during themovement of the cage.

19. In an elevator, the combination with a cage, a door for the cage anda controller forming part of the operating mechanism of said cage, of amotor carried by the cage, gearing for transmitting motion from themotor to open and close the door, means for controlling the direction inwhich motion should be transmitted from the motor to the door, means onthe door for locking the cage controller when the door is open and amember for operating the controller and the ,means for controlling themotion transmitting means.

In testimony whereof I aliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN V. KRANEBIEL.

Witnesses:

Lnwis E. FLANDERS, G. E MCGRANN.

@epics of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing'the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, JD.. G.

